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SPOA Committees

SPOA’s committees bring together industry professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to support the association’s mission and strengthen the school photography and yearbook industry. Each committee focuses on a specific area of importance, from advocacy and education to membership, marketing, industry standards, and events, working collaboratively to advance SPOA’s goals and serve its members.

Advocacy Committee

The Advocacy Committee represents and protects the interests of the school photography and yearbook industry by monitoring legislative, regulatory, and industry developments that may affect SPOA members. It works to strengthen industry credibility through professional standards, accreditation, advocacy, and member education while ensuring SPOA maintains a unified and trusted voice on issues affecting the profession.

Committee Members:

  • Rob Locke (Chair)

  • Claudia Dencer

  • Mike Norkin

  • Cindy Gallien

  • Gregg Vander Zwaag

  • Dean Stewart

  • Jake Mark

  • Mike Strawbridge

  • Lou Esposito

  • Aric Snyder

  • Sabeba Alladin

  • Tim McCain

Data Standards Committee

The Data Standards Committee develops and promotes consistent practices for the secure, accurate, and responsible handling of school data. Its mission is to reduce risk for schools, families, and photography companies while encouraging industry-wide standards and stronger collaboration with Student Information System providers and other technology partners.

Committee Members:

  • David Lake (Chair)

  • Scott Rodgers

  • Drew Hayes

  • Chip Wagner

  • Tim McCain

  • Rod Halterman

  • Cat Chatmon

  • Lucy Binns

  • Shaun McGehee

  • Jordan Moore

Industry Photography Awards Committee

The Industry Photography Awards Committee oversees SPOA’s national Industry Photography Awards and establishes the standards and procedures used to evaluate submissions. Its purpose is to provide a fair, transparent, and professional awards process that recognizes outstanding work, celebrates excellence, and raises the visibility and prestige of school and industry photography.

Committee Members:

  • Nic Davidson (Chair)

  • Hayes Davis

  • David Locke

  • Darcie Saefkow

  • Lisa Kniola

  • Frank Lombardo

  • Bryan Bowman

  • Peter Muhly

  • Anne Hull

Industry Supplier Committee

The Industry Supplier Committee gives SPOA’s supplier members a strong and consistent voice within the association. It provides a forum for suppliers to share industry insights, identify trends and opportunities, strengthen relationships with photography companies, and help shape SPOA programs, benefits, and events—particularly the Annual Summit.

Committee Members:

  • James Anderson (Chair)

  • Robert Ste-Marie

  • Ginny Winston

  • Niko Lau

  • Kayla Chang

  • Paul Watkins

  • Sabeba Alladin

Marketing Committee

The Marketing Committee builds awareness and engagement around SPOA’s programs, events, fundraisers, and initiatives while protecting and strengthening the organization’s brand. Its mission is to ensure SPOA communicates consistently and professionally across digital, print, public relations, and event marketing channels while reinforcing SPOA’s position as a leading association for the school photography and yearbook industry.

Committee Members:

  • Steve Kent (Chair)

  • Mark Motichek

  • Ali Harmon

  • Mat Votoupal

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is focused on strengthening and growing SPOA by recruiting new members, retaining existing members, and ensuring the value of membership is clearly communicated and delivered. It also oversees the integrity of the membership process, evaluates benefits and engagement, and helps ensure membership decisions remain aligned with SPOA’s bylaws and values.

Committee Members:

  • Drew Hayes (Chair)

  • Dave Stock

  • Tanya Saenz

  • Jeff Gump

Student Education Committee

The Student Education Committee works to inspire and prepare the next generation of school photography professionals by connecting students and college graduates with SPOA members and the broader industry. Through educational programs, workshops, mentorship, competitions, and career opportunities, the committee introduces young photographers to school photography as a creative and professional career path.

Committee Members:

  • Hayes Davis

  • Chris DeCamillo

  • Gabe Mozsi

  • Pery Vargas

  • Phillip Reyman

  • James Mullens

  • Erin Reasoner

  • Ben Langevin

Student Photo Contest Committee

The Student Photo Contest Committee oversees SPOA’s national Student Photography Contest, presented in partnership with Sony, and provides middle and high school students with an opportunity to showcase their work under professional judging standards. The committee also supports college outreach and educational programming designed to introduce photography students to career opportunities within the school photography industry.

Committee Members:

  • Hayes Davis

  • Chris DeCamillo

  • Gabe Mozsi

  • Pery Vargas

  • Phillip Reyman

  • James Mullens

  • Erin Reasoner

  • Ben Langevin

Programs & Education Sub-Committee

The Programs & Education Sub-Committee develops the educational content of SPOA’s Annual Summit. Its purpose is to identify relevant learning priorities, evaluate and select speakers and sessions, develop the educational schedule, and ensure Summit programming provides meaningful, diverse, and high-quality professional development opportunities for attendees.

Committee Members:

  • ​

Annual Summit Committee

The Annual Summit Committee plans and delivers SPOA’s Annual Summit, bringing together school photography and yearbook professionals from across the industry for education, networking, collaboration, and recognition. The committee oversees the full event experience—including programming, sponsorships, awards, contests, marketing, production, and guest experience—to create an event that educates, connects, and celebrates the industry.

Committee Members:

  • Jen Volcko (Chair)

  • Mike Norkin

  • Rebecca Jensen

  • Mark Hommerding

  • Steve Kent

  • Nic Davidson

  • Hayes Davis

  • Doyce Crandall

  • Mat Votoupal

  • Alissa Harmon

  • Stephanie Hayes

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